Under the retinues of the inner guards and Jinyifu guards, six maroon-colored horses with shiny manes pulled the chariot into the palace garden from Anshun Gate, and headed towards the Daming Palace along the clean and spacious royal road.
However, at this time, Emperor Chongping called out: "Ziyu, stop here. I will come down for a walk and wait for the civil and military ministers behind me."
Hearing this, Jia Heng gently pulled on the reins, and immediately got off the carriage shaft, stretched out an arm and said, "Your Majesty, I will help you get down."
At this time, Emperor Chongping also raised the curtain, and with the help of Jia Heng, he got out of the carriage and said with a smile: "Ziyu, we kings and ministers will go for a while."
Jia Heng quickly agreed, supported Emperor Chongping who was slightly out of breath, and asked, "Why didn't your Majesty take good care of his body after last time? He still looks a little weak, and he still needs a good rest."
Emperor Chongping walked along the corridor and said with emotion: "There are so many things going on in the imperial court. How dare I have the intention to neglect government?"
Jia Heng nodded and sighed: "Your Majesty has the great responsibility of Jiuzhou and shoulders the burden of all the people in the world. I am worried about it. I know it. However, state affairs are not accomplished in a day. Your Majesty, it is better not to worry too much."
Emperor Chongping smiled softly, stood up at a white marble railing, held on to the railing, looked at the palace in the distance, and said, "How could I not know? But the country's affairs are difficult, and time waits for us not to wait."
At this time, Dai Quan, who was not far behind him, had led seven or eight internal eunuchs to follow him. Seeing Emperor Chongping's tired look, he called out: "Your Majesty, are you ready to go to the palace?"
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "I have nothing to do. I will follow Zi Yu for a walk. You don't have to be so close."
After saying this, he looked at Jia Heng, his usually cold and welcoming eyes were a little gentler, and said: "Ziyu, you have solved a lot of difficulties for me this time in Henan, the land of Jianghuai."
"Your Majesty has given you too much praise. It is my duty to share your worries with you." Jia Heng said quickly.
Emperor Chongping nodded, then looked at Jia Heng leisurely, and asked solemnly: "Ziyu, I want to ask you something, can you answer it truthfully?"
Jia Heng couldn't help being frightened. He put on a facelift and calmed down his expression. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please inquire."
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, thinking about his words, and asked: "Ziyu, what on earth is going on between you and Xianning?"
Jia Heng: ".
He looked strange for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, why do you suddenly ask about this?"
Didn’t the Emperor know that? He still asked questions knowingly. Even today’s situation was caused by the Emperor overtly or covertly. Well, of course it cannot be said that way.
"Today I am not asking you as the emperor, but as the father of Xianning. You and Xianning were fighting the chaos in Henan." Emperor Chongping interrupted Jia Heng's address and asked.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said frankly: "I and Your Highness Xianning had a mutual affection for each other in the Central Plains, but it was based on love and not on etiquette. I love Your Highness Xianning. Your Highness Xianning is gentle and courteous, and has the bearing of an imperial daughter of the clan."
At the end of the sentence, the voice was a bit weak. In front of his father, he said that he liked other people's daughters and gave them watery cabbage?
Seeing the young man lowering his head with a guilty conscience, Emperor Chongping's eyes flashed with an imperceptible smile under his thin brows. He seemed to be satisfied with the words of the young man in the python suit opposite him. He nodded and said: "How can you be so honest?
In vain, Xianning is not afraid of swordsmanship, so I will march with you to Henan."
"Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "I usually dote on Xian Ning, but I know that Xian Ning is a good boy. It's hard for me to say anything about the matters between you. You have to treat her well in the future."
When Jia Heng heard this, he pretended to be surprised and said, "The Holy One agrees?"
Emperor Chongping smiled lightly and said: "Although I agree, Xianning is my daughter after all, and she cannot be your concubine. Whether I can let Xianning grant you a marriage depends on your ability and whether you can block it."
After he lived there, he was spoken by the civil and military officials of the dynasty, and was pointed out by people all over the world."
Jia Heng:"
Emperor Chongping stared at the young man and asked, "Why, are you a little scared?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said with sonorous words: "How can I be afraid of you? I will treat you as such."
When the Holy One pacifies the Eastern captives and creates peace for all eternity, then all the voices of criticism in the world will be wiped out."
"Okay, young man, you are ambitious!" Emperor Chongping expressed his admiration, and then said, "Xianning is quite old, so don't let her wait too long."
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: I understand."
After Emperor Chongping said this, he didn't say much. He walked along the stone steps towards the Daming Palace, looked at the side hall of the Daming Palace, paused slightly, pointed to the direction of the study in the side hall, and said: "I remember last year, it was in the inner study.
, Jinyang introduced you to me because of the story of the Three Kingdoms. I didn’t expect that the young man who was so eloquent and talented at the time is now my uncle Yongning, leaning on me as my arm, and will become my son-in-law in the future.
Maybe it’s just something that has its own destiny.”
Jia Heng's face paused slightly, and he said in a low voice: "If it hadn't been for His Majesty's simplicity, Wei Chen would still be depressed and frustrated in Liutiao Hutong. The reason why Wei Chen is what he is today is because His Majesty cultivated, taught and cared for him. His Majesty's kindness to Wei Chen
Recreate together."
Emperor Chongping glanced at the young man and said softly: "I'm not saying this, I'm just thinking about what you said in the past, that the Donglu incident can be planned. Now that the whole army has been completed with force, it is really like the "Pinglu Policy"
As you said, does it take fifteen years to completely wipe out the Donglu?"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said loudly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I said that I would be a prisoner for fifteen years because I expected the enemy to be lenient. You should not be eager to win quickly. Otherwise, you will be restless and impetuous, which will lead to defeat. If the time is right, I will
I won’t waste time, and I won’t wait fifteen years to fight against the enemy and seek victory, let alone fifteen years. However, the Holy Spirit should not be too eager, and the war cannot be rushed.”
Emperor Chongping listened to Jia Heng's words, nodded and said: "Ziyu, whether you and I, the emperor and our ministers, can create eternal peace for the Han Dynasty, depends on the battle of Donglu! You must plan your strategy carefully and strive to win the battle as soon as possible.
Come, I read the history of the Song Dynasty, Shenzong's reform, and Wang Shao was appointed to regain Hehuang. How high-spirited it was? When it came to the expedition against Xixia, it was all in vain in one battle. From then on, it failed to recover and ended in depression. Every time I think about this, I only feel that my heart is full of enthusiasm.
As heavy as a thousand
Jun, the soldier, is an important matter of the country, the place of life and death, and must be observed."
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will use all my talents to plan a victory for Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping looked steadily at the young man, patted Jia Heng on the shoulder, and said: "If there is a war with the Donglu, I will not hold you back or urge you to join the army, but I want to tell you."
At this point, the middle-aged emperor's expression changed, and he seemed to pause for a moment, and said with emotion: "The honor and disgrace of you and me, the emperor and my ministers, the father-in-law and the son-in-law, and the safety of the Han Dynasty depend on the victory or defeat of the war against the captives. Zi Yu
, I encourage you to do so."
Jia Heng's heart was slightly shaken. He looked at Emperor Chongping, raised his hands and saluted, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Even if I am broken into pieces and wrapped in horse leather, I will work hard to reverse the decline of Northern Xinjiang and lay the foundation for peace for Your Majesty."
He discovered that ever since he led the Beijing army to quickly quell the chaos in the Central Plains, there was an unspeakable expectation hidden in the heart of the emperor in front of him, or in other words, a reliance on his achievements in northern Xinjiang.
A great victory in the war against the captives was the emperor's deepest desire, to put an end to the situation of defeat and passive defeat in northern Xinjiang since he came to the throne.
Emperor Chongping was obviously a person who was very good at restraining his emotions. After a while, his expression became normal, he turned to look at the ministers who had appeared at the palace gate, and said: "Stop talking, it's time for all the ministers to follow.
After a while, Xihe Palace will prepare dinner and singing and dancing, please come with me."
Jia Heng nodded, said nothing more, and followed Emperor Chongping towards Xihe Palace step by step. Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall
Because Jia Zheng had already gone to the city gate tower with the officials from the Ministry of Works early in the morning to meet Jia Heng, there were only some female relatives and Baoyu in the mansion.
After Jia Mu listened carefully to Mammy's report, she smiled and said, "Brother Heng is back."
Sister Feng smiled coquettishly and said, "This is because the palace took a step ahead of me and took me into the palace."
Jia Mu nodded and said with a smile: "This is not about taking the lead and leading the general back to the capital. It is about handing over the errands to the emperor in the palace first."
Sister Feng said with a smile: "I think so, our ancestors have experienced many things and know more."
Aunt Xue laughed and said jokingly: "Old lady, the two houses have been dedicated to martial arts for several lifetimes. The old lady is very interested in this place."
Everything is so ruthless."
When everyone heard this, they all laughed, their hairpin skirts and coats were wrapped around them, the flowers and branches were trembling, and they were so beautiful that they competed with each other.
Sitting next to her is Baochai, whose face is as greasy as a pear, slightly flushed due to the excitement in her heart, and her muscles and bones are gleaming, and her heart is already filled with anticipation.
Jia Heng is coming back soon. We haven’t seen him for several months.
The girl's gold lock has long been rusty, and the lock cylinder needs some oil.
Yuanchun Fenglan looked confused and asked: "Ancestor, the palace will probably hold a banquet to entertain Hengdi and the meritorious generals from the Beijing camp. Will Hengdi come back at night?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Baochai raised her bright eyes and turned to look at her cousin, her watery apricot eyes filled with gleaming waves.
"Not necessarily, maybe the show ended earlier." Jia Mu smiled and said.
Tan Chunying's bright eyebrows moved slightly, his voice was clear and melodious, and he said with a smile: "I wonder if Sister-in-law Heng from Dongfu has received the news?"
Sister Feng said with a smile: "Ping'er, hurry up and talk, don't make people wait too anxiously." Ping'er responded quickly with a smile, and then went.
Mrs. Wang had an expressionless face and cold eyes. She frowned when she saw the cheerful people. She held a string of Buddhist beads in her hand and gently moved them. She felt that she was really incompatible with the warm atmosphere in Rongqing Hall.
Palace Garden, Xihe Palace
The civil and military ministers of the Han Dynasty and the meritorious generals of the Beijing camp followed the internal eunuchs into the Xihe Palace. Jia Heng had already sat down first, and Emperor Chongping also sat down on the golden chair and looked at the civil and military officials below.
Ministers.
"I have seen your Majesty. Long live your Majesty." The ministers entered the palace and greeted Emperor Chongping one after another.
"Everyone, please bow down without courtesy and sit down." Emperor Chongping's attitude was obviously much gentler today, which made the ministers below, who were accustomed to the emperor's unpretentious speech, feel much more relaxed.
Under the guidance of the internal eunuchs one by one, all the ministers in the palace took their seats one after another, sitting upright and looking at Emperor Chongping. Many of them also looked at the young man in python suit who was a few years younger than him.
Emperor Chongping's voice resounded in the entire palace, like the jingling of gold and stone, saying: "This time, Yongning Bo suppressed the rebellion in the Central Plains and pacified Henan. He was ordered to go to Huai'an Prefecture non-stop to fight the flood and prepare for the flood. It can be said that he is diligent in the king's affairs, and his hard work should be rewarded."
That’s the reward.”
Jia Heng stood up from below, faced the attention of Han civil and military officials, raised his hands towards Emperor Chongping, and said loudly: "I am running for the country's official affairs, and I dare not take credit. As for fighting floods and preparing for floods, I have received the emperor's order.
It is your duty to run good errands, let alone take it as a merit. Kuang Sheng has rewarded mediocre ministers a lot, so I really don't dare to be greedy and obsessed with fame and position."
Everyone present looked at the young man who was tall and tall and had a calm demeanor. Hearing his impassioned speech, everyone had different thoughts.
Emperor Chongping looked gentle and said: "The ancients said that meritorious service should be rewarded. No amount of gold should be spared. No merit is expected to be given. I will not do anything with it. After Jia Qing put down the chaos in Henan, he rectified the official system, brought order to the people, built embankments and weirs, so that the people of the Central Plains could live in peace.
During the rainy and flood season, he did not suffer any flood disasters, and he indeed played a special role in domestic affairs. When the Nanhe River was in danger, he was ordered to lead the army to Huai'an and stayed on the river embankment for more than a month. He shared the joys and sorrows with the soldiers and faced the peak of the flood. There were no less dangerous places than the two armies competing for victory.
, This is not your responsibility, but your contribution! Since your military service has contributed to the country, how can I not reward you with a title and salary?"
Jia Heng is a martial artist. With his current achievements, joining the Ministry of War is the limit. With his age, seniority, and prestige, he cannot be promoted to the third orphan. Then he can only be promoted to the rank of Lord Wu, increase his salary, and benevolent heirs.
Speaking of this, Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and then ordered: "The cabinet has drafted a decree to make Jia Heng the first-class uncle of Jin Yongning to reward him for his contribution in leading troops to fight floods and protect canals in the Central Plains and Jianghuai River."
Jia Heng's title was promoted, and the titles of some generals in the Beijing camp could also be promoted to win over the morale of the army.
Moreover, as the person in charge of military training, he does not even have a first-class uncle, which is really unreasonable.
Jia Heng's face was slightly solemn, and he couldn't refuse when he saw this. His voice was a little grateful and he said, "I thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Your grace is so great that I am indescribable."
At his position, there will be no substantial improvement unless he is promoted to marquis, but the marquis did not say that.
It is simply impossible to rely on military exploits in foreign wars. Even a third-class prince still needs military exploits in foreign wars.
If you are promoted to a first-class uncle, your salary will be improved, and the number of heirs will be different. Of course, it may be better to tell it out loud.
In fact, the Dukes and Bos of the Han Dynasty were of the third rank, and the third rank was often the strictest. This was used as a yardstick to determine the name and regulations, but the subsequent transfer of the specific ranks was used to reward those who were not enough to be granted the title of a marquis, or to be granted the title of a duke.
, but he also achieved meritorious military service.
It's just that the second-class uncle can almost reward him for his merits. The emperor is granting favors in one step. In the future, if he has small merits other than foreign wars, he will have a tacit understanding that no merit will be counted.
Yang Guochang was sitting below. Hearing Emperor Chongping's words, he frowned and opened his mouth. He wanted to give some advice, but it was hard to disturb the emperor's mood on such a day of triumphant return.
Moreover, arguing over which one is more suitable, the second-class uncle or the first-class uncle, is also a big loss of tact. Even Niu Jizong, the most popular person, is a first-class uncle, so just let the child be a first-class uncle.
At this moment, except for Yang Guochang who frowned, there was no reaction from the officials in the palace.
Obviously the emperor did not grant a title to Jia Heng because he suppressed the civil strife, which was the political bottom line for some civil servants.
The great Han Dynasty granted military honors to four kings, eight princes and twelve marquises at the founding of the country. This was the contribution of Ding Ding. During the Taizong period, some marquises were also granted. Most of the marquises were those who made contributions in fighting against barbarians in the northwest and southwest.
Emperor Chongping looked calmly at the generals below and said: "For those generals who have made meritorious service in the capital camp, they will receive awards from the Ministry of War in the near future. If they have made great contributions to the country and served the country with sincerity, I will not hesitate to reward them with meritorious titles."
The Han Dynasty not only had superior dukes and princes, but also various titles such as generals, captains of light chariots, and captains of cloud cavalry. He also needed to cultivate a group of Chongping military honors.
"We thank you, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty." When the generals from the Beijing camp who came to the banquet heard this, they all looked happy and their military spirits were overjoyed.
Seeing this scene, some civil servants frowned and felt gloomy and inexplicable. They secretly said that the great power of martial arts is not a blessing for the country.
After Emperor Chongping commended Jia Heng, he glanced at the civil and military ministers in the palace and said: "Everyone has finished eating, Dai Quan, and asked the Taiyue Department to present music and dance."
When Dai Quan heard this, he said yes and turned around.